Generation of High Order Harmonics in Heisenberg-Euler Electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper investigates high order harmonic generation in the quantum vacuum using Heisenberg-Euler electrodynamics, focusing on the interaction of intense electromagnetic waves and deriving finite expressions for harmonic yields.

Contribution

It provides new finite expressions for high harmonic yields in vacuum interactions with intense electromagnetic waves, especially when only the first Poincaré invariant is non-zero.

Findings

High harmonic yields are most effective when only the first Poincaré invariant is non-zero.

Finite expressions for harmonic generation are derived for intersecting plane waves.

The study advances understanding of nonlinear quantum vacuum responses to intense fields.

Abstract

High order harmonic generation by extremely intense, interacting, electromagnetic waves in the quantum vacuum is investigated within the framework of the Heisenberg-Euler formalism. Two intersecting plane waves of finite duration are considered in the case of general polarizations. Detailed finite expressions are obtained for the case where only the first Poincar\'e invariant does not vanish. Yields of high harmonics in this case are most effective.